Abstract
Abstract This study is based on interviews with sixty-three Chinese social workers to explore the challenges they faced and the strategies they adopted when using digital technology for front-line services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Employing an ecosystem theory, thematic analysis is applied to analyse interview transcripts. The findings reveal three major challenges faced by social workers: limited digital capital, digital-mediated service predicaments and the digital burden. To address the aforementioned challenges, social workers adopted four strategies: digital empowerment, adjustment of online service processes, leveraging the advantages of digital technology and asking colleagues for support. This study suggests enhancing support for social workers through improved digital training and psychological care, integrating digital-mediated social work skills into academic curricula, and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships to develop and utilize reliable digital tools, thereby improving the quality and effectiveness of social work in the digital age.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
